State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Norwood v Adelaide - Friday, March 31, 6.30pm, Coopers Stadium
Durable onballer Scott Thompson's comeback from a shoulder injury did not go as planned, with a corked adductor limiting his game time in a trial match against Norwood on Friday night.
Thompson, who turned 34 last month, was hurt early and tried to play in the second half, but often had to go to the bench.
He collected 10 disposals, two clearances and two tackles.
However, promising young defender Jake Lever showed much better signs, picking up 18 disposals and six marks.
Harrison Wigg ran hard on the wing and across half-back to have 22 disposals, seven inside-50s and a goal while former basketballer Hugh Greenwood notched 21 disposals, six clearances, six tackles and a goal.
Last year's first round selection Jordan Galluci didn't kick a goal but could have had three with more accuracy. He ended the night with 17 disposals and his speed was a highlight.
The Redlegs were 29-point winners against Adelaide at Coopers Stadium, 15.9 (99) to 10.10 (70).
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Sydney - Saturday, April 1, 1.30pm, Blacktown International Sportspark
HIGHLY rated forward Josh Schache slotted four goals against Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon in his first game of 2017.
A low-grade medial ligament strain hampered his pre-season and forced the second selection in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft to miss round one of the AFL season.
Jonathan Freeman booted three goals while big men Archie Smith and Oscar McInerney were among the best players.
Draftees Hugh McCluggage (ankle), Jarrod Berry (knee) and Alex Witherden (leg) all played their first games for the Lions.
McCluggage nailed a goal while Berry was an important contributor.
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State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Northern Blues - Sunday, April 2, 9am, Arden Street
Former Giant Rhys Palmer's experience was on display, collecting 23 disposals and booting three goals in the Blues' 23-point win.
Midfielders Sam Kerridge (23 touches, one goal) and Blaine Boekhorst (21 touches, one goal) also had solid final hit-outs ahead of round one of the VFL season.
Rookie forward Andrew Gallucci played his first game in almost a year after overcoming a serious shoulder injury, kicking three goals from his 12 disposals in an encouraging return.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Collingwood - Thursday, March 30, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
DROPPED forward Mason Cox returned to the field after a last-quarter knee scare and finished with two goals against Richmond in a practice match on Thursday.
Cox limped off the field in the fourth term and had his right leg tested but came back on and did not appear hindered.
The 26-year-old was dumped from the senior side after round one. VFL coach Jared Rivers said the American needed to hold on to his marks to earn a recall.
"He gets to the contest, it's just trying to clunk those few. If he clunks those three or four that he does miss and kicks a few more goals, he's back up there," Rivers said.
"It's just getting that confidence back. He's only been in the system for three or four years, so it's going to take time."
Injury-prone backman Matthew Scharenberg started slowly but had more of an influence as the game went on.
"He definitely reads the ball well, which is his natural game. When the ball was coming in pretty heavily, we put him as a plus one," Rivers said of Scharenberg.
"His aerial work is really strong and decision-making with ball in hand's been good. He needs to keep playing games of footy and he'll hopefully get his opportunity soon."
Forward Ben Crocker slotted three goals and took a couple of contested overhead marks, with his work rate also impressive. The 20-year-old had his pre-season hampered by hip surgery.
The returning Josh Thomas showed signs as an inside midfielder and former Melbourne full-back Lynden Dunn was courageous down back.
Richmond ran out dominant victors at Punt Road Oval, 20.10 (130) to 10.6 (66).
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Essendon - Saturday, April 1, 11am, VU Whitten Oval
RETURNING ruckman Tom Bellchambers vaulted himself into contention for a spot in the senior team after a dominant performance in the ruck against Footscray at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Bellchambers played the full game, had control in the ruck battle and booted two goals.
Knee surgery interrupted the 27-year-old's preparation but his showing will please the Essendon coaches, especially with Matthew Leuenberger nursing an injured hamstring.
Another tall option, former Giant James Stewart, was the most likely forward for the Bombers. Stewart presented very well and notched up 20 disposals, 10 marks and slotted 2.2.
The sixth selection from the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Aaron Francis, picked up 21 disposals, eight marks and a goal.
He spent most of the game up forward, with occasional stints in the midfield. His marking was a highlight.
Category B rookie Ben McNiece was best on ground for the Bombers. The defender had 23 disposals and 12 marks, many of which cut off the Dogs' forays forward.
Alongside him was Mitch Brown who also excelled in the backline with 28 disposals and 12 marks.
Heath Hocking was strong in the contest across half-back and tallied 19 disposals and six tackles, while Conor McKenna was relatively quiet with 16 disposals.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Peel Thunder v South Fremantle - Saturday, April 1, 2.15pm, Bendigo Bank Oval
Midfielder Matt Taberner collected 18 disposals and eight marks in his side's 43-point loss.
The 23-year-old also kicked one of Peel's five goals for the match, but was wayward in front of goal with five behinds.
Second-year onballer Harley Balic was the standout despite the defeat courtesy of his 29 possessions and 11 marks – both team-highs.
Draftee Luke Ryan, who was recruited with pick No.66 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, made his League debut after overcoming an ankle injury and had 17 touches in defence, while Hayden Crozier kicked a goal.
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State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Geelong - Saturday, April 1, 2pm, Burbank Oval
Midfielder Sam Menegola showed his class with a team-high 35 disposals, seven tackles, five marks and a goal in the Cats' 20-point win.
The 25-year-old worked in tandem with ruckman Zac Smith, who was a late withdrawal from Geelong's season-opening clash against Fremantle last weekend with soreness.
Smith finished with 48 hit-outs, 25 possessions and seven clearances.
Both Menegola and Smith were playing their first game in three weeks.
In attack, former North Melbourne forward Aaron Black put in an encouraging performance with 22 touches, six marks and a goal.
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Gold Coast - Saturday, April 1, 12.55pm, Spotless Stadium
Midfielder Brandon Matera was the pick of the Suns-listed players, accumulating a team-high 31 disposals, 11 marks and kicking four goals in their season-opening 28-point loss.
Fellow ball-winner Brayden Fiorini was also kept busy through the middle and created chances in the forward half with 29 touches, eight marks and two goals.
Returning from an ankle injury, defender Jarrod Harbrow began brightly with 10 of his 20 possessions coming in the first quarter alone, while omitted Sun Josh Schoenfeld finished the game with 12 touches, two marks and two tackles.
Suns coach Rodney Eade wasn't overly impressed with the reserves' performance.
"The seconds didn't play well today," Eade said after the AFL team's 102-point loss to GWS on Saturday.
"We've got to reward players who have played well in the twos (but) unfortunately there wasn't enough of them."
State league affiliate: GWS Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: GWS Giants v Gold Coast - Saturday, April 1, 12.55pm, Spotless Stadium
First-round academy draftee Will Setterfield showed why he will be a name to watch closely, starring in the Giants' 28-point season-opening win.
The 19-year-old, who was taken at pick No.5 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, gathered a game-high 33 disposals, 11 marks, four tackles and booted three goals.
Axed youngster Matthew Kennedy didn't let his demotion faze him, picking up 30 touches, seven tackles and a goal.
Recently elevated forward Daniel Lloyd (25 disposals, seven tackles), draftee Harry Perryman (23 disposals, seven marks) and defender Harrison Himmelberg (20 disposals, four marks) all played their part.
Academy product Zach Sproule, who was recruited in last year's rookie draft, bagged five goals from his 15 possessions, while second-year ruckman Matthew Flynn booted three majors.
Key defender Aidan Corr returned from a hand injury and gathered 14 touches in his comeback.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, April 1, 1.30pm, Casey Fields
Billy Hartung starred in Box Hill's last-minute three-point loss to Casey Demons in their VFL trial match.
The speedy midfielder could be pushing for selection after finishing with 30 disposals, nine inside 50s and a goal.
Rookie James Cousins impressed with 28 touches and eight clearances, while key forward James Sicily had 26 possessions.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Box Hill Hawks - Saturday, April 1, 1.30pm, Casey Fields
FRINGE Melbourne midfielder Tomas Bugg showed he was too good for the reserves in Casey's three-point win against Box Hill at Casey Fields on Saturday, Demons coach Justin Plapp said.
Bugg ran through the VFL midfield after being the emergency for the senior team in round one of the AFL season.
He played 18 games last year in his first season at Melbourne.
Plapp told AFL.com.au Bugg could not have done much more to earn a spot in Simon Goodwin's side.
"We were delighted with his output today. He missed out a week ago and ended up being the carryover. He played at a really high level. He played like an AFL player at VFL level," Plapp said.
Josh Wagner (broken fibula) and Sam Frost (toe) both played a half in their return from injury.
Ruckman Jake Spencer impressed Plapp, as did speedy forward Dean Kent.
Ben Kennedy, an emergency for the senior team, didn't play for Casey.
The Demons kicked a late goal to win the practice match, 10.15 (75) to 10.12 (72).
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Werribee v Northern Blues - Sunday, April 2, 9am, Arden Street
Midfielder Jed Anderson continued to build match fitness after recovering from shoulder surgery he had in late January.
The 23-year-old put his shoulder to the test by laying some aggressive tackles in his team's 23-point practice match loss.
Tall forward Nick Larkey kicked three first-half goals, taking his goal tally to seven for the past fortnight.
Speedster Corey Wagner kicked two majors in the second half, while fellow goalkicker Ben McKay also presented well and scored a consolation goal on the final siren.
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Collingwood - Thursday, March 30, 4.30pm, Punt Road Oval
Forward Mabior Chol was concussed in the third quarter of Thursday's practice match against Collingwood.
The rookie slotted two goals before being stretchered off. He returned to the bench in the last term and appeared to be in good spirits after the game.
Tough onballer Jacob Townsend was a constant presence in the midfield and worked forward to boot three goals.
Kamdyn McIntosh also slotted three and showed his dash while rookie ruckman Ivan Soldo kicked four and impressed with his aggression.
Dropped forward Sam Lloyd nailed two goals and gave off another in the fourth quarter but was generally quiet.
Steven Morris emerged unscathed after playing his first game since he tore the ACL in his right knee against North Melbourne in round 11 last year.
The Tigers ran out convincing winners at Punt Road Oval, 20.10 (130) to 10.6 (66).
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Brisbane Lions v Sydney - Saturday, April 1, 1.30pm, Blacktown International Sportspark
Midfielder Brandon Jack began the season in the best possible way for the Swans despite their 26-point loss.
The 22-year-old, who failed to break into coach John Longmire's 22-man squad last season, was a central figure through the middle.
In attack, youngsters James Rose and Jordan Dawson led the goalkicking with three goals apiece.
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State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: East Perth v Swan Districts - Saturday, April 1, 2.15pm, Leederville Oval
Axed midfielder Lewis Jetta was on reduced minutes after experiencing glute tightness at training on Wednesday, collecting 19 disposals in the 10-point loss.
Scans on Friday revealed no serious injury, allowing Jetta to take the field for the Eagles' WAFL affiliate.
Rookie Francis Watson was among the highlights for his team, gathering a team-high 30 disposals, seven marks and five tackles.
Defender Sam Butler generated plenty of drive across half-back with 27 disposals and 10 marks, ruckman Fraser McInnes competed hard with 31 hit-outs, 17 touches and a goal, and draftee Daniel Venables registered one goal in his first League game.
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Footscray v Essendon - Saturday, April 1, 11am, VU Whitten Oval
Forward Toby McLean responded to his omission well despite the 48-point loss, kicking one of Footscray's eight goals for the game.
The 21-year-old was named his side's best player, with midfielder Josh Dunkley not too far behind.
Midfielders Lukas Webb and Mitch Honeychurch, and draftee Patrick Lipinski each registered one goal.
